On November 4, the Cohuna Aviation Club announced it would be shutting its doors with fears Federal Government funded upgrades may not go ahead.
In making its decision, the club said it had handed back the funding to the Commonwealth.
A Facebook post on the club’s page said “more than 80 construction jobs and up to 20 long-term jobs has been voided” due to the funding loss.
The grant was awarded in May 2019, but since then Gannawarra Shire Council elected to end its lease and hand back the operating licence to Coliban Water.
Owners of the land were ready to close the site but handed the operation to Cohuna Lions Club in October.
But Member for Mallee Anne Webster has moved to clear up the situation.
“The funding hadn't been handed over to the Cohuna Aviation Club, so let's be clear about that,” Dr Webster told the ABC.
“The Cohuna Lions Club have, fortunately, put up their hand and said, ‘No, we need these upgrades, they still need to happen'.”
Now Dr Webster is working with the Federal Government to ensure the funds are delivered to the Lions club.
“I've organised a meeting with (president) Anthony Troy from the Cohuna Lions Club, and with a policy advisor from the Deputy Prime Minister's Office to work through where we're at right now,” she said.
“Lions club have stepped up and they want to see the extended runway, they want to see the ambulance transportation, the upgrade to the toilets, and the CFA tanks prepared for firefighting.
“So, I'm absolutely supporting them to move forward with the $2.5 million funding.”
Dr Webster said she was confident the upgrades would still go ahead.
“The Deputy Prime Minister is very committed to seeing the project completed, that the outcomes for the community are reached,” she said.
“It was an election promise, as you know, and it needs to happen.”
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